Carboxymethyl cellulose film from durian rind

Abstract

Cellulose from durian rind was converted to carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCd) by carboxymethylation using sodium monochloroacetate (SMCA) and various sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations (20-60 g/100 mL). The chemical structure of the cellulose and resulting polymers was then characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Then, the properties of the CMCdmaterials were investigated. The optimum condition for carboxymethylation was found to be 30 g/100 mL NaOH, which provided the highest viscosity and degree of substitution (DS = 0.87). Crystallinity of CMCdwas found to decline after synthesis. The L* value of the CMCddecreased with increasing NaOH concentrations (20-40 g/100 mL). The trend of the a* and b* values varied inverses to the L* values. The CMCdfilms were prepared and tested, and the highest tensile strength (140.77 MPa) and WVTR (220.85 g/day·m2) were found using the 30 g/100 mL NaOH-synthesized CMCdfilm. The percent elongation at break of the different CMCdfilms was not to significantly differ. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.